I have a Karcher power washer which is under performing - low pressure. I suspect the low pressure is due to low feed pressure, feed comes from a 1/2 inch pipe gravity fed from the loft of my two storey home. Tried running the tap to fill a bucket then allowing the washer to suck water directly from this (acted as a reseviour) but it didnt help much. Does the feed have to be at a good pressure? Has anybody any ideas on how to improve the washer performance.Took ages today to wash mud off my Ford.
Thanks
Bill

It needs more inlet pressure than the gravity fed system. I would suggest a small gas powered pump if you aren't near a power source.I use a small 2 stroke Tanaka pump feeding the washer when I wash out radiators out in the field drawing out of a 600 gallon tank. You probably needs 20 psi minimum for the washer to perform properly.

I've got 2 karchers... a cheaper (2500?) model and the bigger (5.6?)...
The smaller one works fine on gravity feed the bigger I haven't tried but works good with a looooong feed hose (= lower pressure)....
You can download free .pdf manuals from the karcher site....

I found simple directions on the net on how to solve that - take off the silver cap, take a tiny screw or 3 out, run it so the valve pops out (as they say, the toughest part of the whole process is finding the valve again when it flies away...) putting some grease on it, and re-assembling.

Used to have to take the nozzle off, run it so water streamed out, then put the nozzle back on, and it was good for one spraying - let up on the trigger, and it would have no pressure after that. Take nozzle off, let it stream, and good to go for one use...

This sticky valve was the problem, took me longer to type this than to fix it. Search internet for diagrams and simple instructions if this is your problem. The one pump style of theirs is really bad at this.

Thanks all for the advice. I am kinda tied with my water supply as its all plumbed into the house system unless I can get some sort of large storage tank and an auxilary pump. I will have a look on Ebay regarding booster pumps, I may be able to get a 1000 litre tank that I could use as a reseviour.
Bill

(quoted from post at 14:34:34 10/03/12) Thanks all for the advice. I am kinda tied with my water supply as its all plumbed into the house system unless I can get some sort of large storage tank and an auxilary pump. I will have a look on Ebay regarding booster pumps, I may be able to get a 1000 litre tank that I could use as a reseviour.
Bill

Have you got a way to try it closer to the house (normal water pressure) first? Was using mine just with a 1000 liter tank about a meter off the ground (only gravity)... Is there a screen or some type of filter at the input connector that may be restricted?

We've got one like that. The pump is just worn out from too many hours use. 3.5 hp gas model but our little 50$ 120 V electric puts it too shame. BTW the electric model claims to be made in the USA, not sure its its true or not. Its an off brand name that we bought at home depot on a door crasher.

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